NO. I AIR AND TUBERCULOSIS — HINSDALE 33 



locality. The wind carries aloft fine particles derived from the crests 

 of the waves and this saline matter from sea water and foam is 

 constantly present near the surface and is carried for miles inland.' 

 It is well known that plants near the seashore have a perceptible 

 coating of saline matter which modifies their growth. 



As far as the present subject is concerned we have to deal with 

 the influence on the tuberculous processes exerted by a marine cli- 

 mate. This can be obtained by undertaking sea voyages or by a 

 residence on islands, or on the seaboard. 



Ocean voyages were formerly strongly advocated as a means of 

 cure in tuberculosis and were given an extended trial especially by 

 English physicians. The constant commercial intercourse between 

 England and her possessions all over the world made the practice 

 easy and the results have been carefully weighed. Before the days 

 of steam the typical ocean voyage from London to China or India 

 involved vastly different conditions, as to time, route and accommo- 

 dations. Some features will always be the same. Seasickness, the 

 confined air of cabins, storm and wet will remain to harrass and ter- 

 rify the traveler. But the clipper ships of the past are now, for 

 the most part, doing duty as coal barges and the steam " tramp " 

 and ocean liner carry the cargoes of the world. 



After ruling out the tramps, cattle ships, and the coasting schoon- 

 ers, we have left a few sailing vessels still engaged in the East 

 India trade and the fast liners. Modern systems of ventilation and 

 cold storage have corrected some of the great disadvantages of the 

 past and the presence of competent surgeons on board all the larger 

 passenger steamers make the trip comparatively safe for a tubercu- 

 lous patient if the necessity arises for him to make the voyage. But 

 as a strictly therapeutic measure such trips are not to be recom- 

 mended and in this we are supported by nearly all good authorities." 



^Two illustrations from a storm at Blackpool, England, are supplied by 

 the courtesy of Dr. Leonard MoUoy. 



''Huggard, A., Handbook of Climatic Treatment, London, 1906, says: " Sea 

 voyages were formerly in great repute for persons with phthisis; but it is 

 now recognized that, except in certain well-defined instances they generally 

 do harm. Only slight or mild cases without fever and without active symp- 

 toms, are likely to benefit. The patients most suitable for a sea voyage are 

 those in whom the disease has become partly or entirely arrested." Dr. 

 Burney yet doubts whether phthisis at any stage is benefited by ocean travel. 

 Prof. Charteris, of Glasgow, approves of a sea voyage in the early stage of 

 phthisis in a young person, but after that stage all experience testifies that 

 degeneration proceeds more rapidly on sea than on shore and the patient, 

 if he reaches land, only does this to find a grave far away from the surround- 

 ings of friends and home. 



